So, the Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2.
The Commanders (1-1) travel to Cincinnati for a MNF contest against the Bengals. It will be the first time NFL fans see Jayden Daniels in a nationally telecast game since joining the NFL.
The Bengals might be 0-2, but immediately remind yourself that their point differential is only -7. Two losses, yes, but by only 7 points.
The Bengals have played their first two games without the services and big-play potential of wide receiver Tee Higgins. This should not be overlooked, nor minimized. Higgins is a big target at 6-foot-4, 2015 pounds. In his four NFL seasons, Higgins has accumulated 257 receptions for 3,684 yards (14.3), 24 touchdowns and 185 first downs. Higgins has been sidelined by a hamstring injury suffered during the practice week before the season opener.
Averaging 5.0 yards per offensive snap, the Bengals are currently 21st in the NFL. Losing two tight games as they have, it certainly hasn’t helped that they have also lost three fumbles in the two opening games.
The possible addition of Higgins could greatly help quarterback Joe Burrow. After two games, Burrow is only averaging 200 passing yards a game, far below what he’s capable of.
Teams are so committed to stopping Ja’Marr Chase that they will double him on fourth down and give up forty yards.
Enough of the regression talk. pic.twitter.com/esL5KYHGW6
— nathan😾 (@nwhodey) September 19, 2024
Though the Bengals’ second opponent was the Chiefs, the Bengals have given up the 10th-least yards the first two weeks. They are surrendering 4.7 yards a play, which is tied for 7th best. They have also created three takeaways.
Perhaps of interest to the Commanders after Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for over 100 yards against the Giants is the fact that the Bengals are yielding 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and have surrendered 319 rushing yards, which is the seventh most in the NFL.
We could see a good dose of Robinson and Austin Ekeler. We could also see several zone-read plays, which, if the ends are crashing down to stop Robinson, could mean Jayden Daniels running the ball several times as well.
After all, running the ball keeps the clock moving and keeps the ball away from Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Mike Gesicki, and Tee Higgins.